His face fell.
“I haven’t asked.”
“I know.”
“Then how can you say no?”
“I’m practicing.”
He stared.
She laughed.
“Ask.”
They walked outside.
Stars bright.
Cold.
Dawson stopped near the barn.
He did not kneel.
He knew Lena hated spectacle.
He held out a small ring.
Not extravagant.
Gold band with a blue stone.
“Lena Ruth Vale.”
Hearing full name still moved her.
“I loved you before I knew your name.”
“I loved you while you were figuring out whether you could trust mine.”
“I love the woman who repaired everyone else’s fences.”
“And the woman who finally learned she can leave one broken until tomorrow.”
She laughed.
He continued.
“I don’t want your land.”
“I don’t need your work.”
“I don’t want your gratitude.”
“I want mornings.”
“Arguments.”
“Bad winters.”
“Good summers.”
“And whichever version of you exists when nobody needs anything.”
Lena’s eyes filled.
Dawson swallowed.
“Will you marry me?”
She looked at him.
Then:
“What happens to my land?”
He smiled because of course she asked.
“Yours.”
“Legally?”
“We write agreement.”
“My profits?”
“Yours.”
“Your land?”
“Mine unless I choose otherwise.”
“House?”
“Whichever one we decide to live in.”
“Children?”
“If we have them, loved.”
“If we don’t?”
“Still us.”
Lena studied him.
“One more.”
“All right.”
“If I get fat.”
Dawson blinked.
She stared.
He almost smiled, realized she was serious, and stopped.
“Lena.”
“I’m already large.”
“I know.”
“People think men stop wanting women like me after marriage.”
Dawson stepped closer.
“May I answer badly?”
“What does that mean?”
“It means there is no elegant way to tell you I have spent a year trying not to stare at you when you bend over flour sacks.”
Her mouth fell open.
He looked embarrassed now.
Good.
She started laughing.
He continued:
“I loved your body before you believed me.”
“If it changes, I’ll learn the changes.”
“If mine changes—and it will—you may complain equally.”
She laughed harder.
Then cried.
Then held out her hand.
“Yes.”
Dawson closed his eyes.
Relief.
“Truly?”
“No, I enjoy freezing outside.”
He put the ring on.
It fit badly.
Too loose.
Lena looked at it.
Dawson cursed.
She laughed until she had to lean against him.